New York Times Chronology: Communications

Washington, Jan. 29 -- Edward R. Murrow, who gave up an income of $200,000 a year as a radio-television commentator to become director of the United States Information Agency, said today he planned to ask others to follow his example. Mr. Murrow said he hoped to persuade commercial radio, television, motion-picture and other organizations to devote more attention to developing programs that could be usefully disseminated abroad. "But whatever is done will have to stand on a rugged basis of truth" he added.... (1) - January 30, 1961

The appointment of Edward R. Murrow as director of the USIA was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (20:3) – March 15, 1961

President Kennedy flew into town for an address to the nation’s publishers urged the press to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of news helpful to communism. He said the use of wartime measures was justified by the nature of Communist "cold-war" tactics and their threat to national security. (1:5; Text. 14) – April 28, 1961

A.T.&T. disclosed that it had not received a definite reply from the Government on its request last December for a go-ahead in launching an experimental communications satellite. The company said with a green light now, the first could be launched by early next year and a 20-satellite link across the Atlantic could be in operation by 1964. (8:1) – May 11, 1961

The Kennedy Administration came out in favor of private ownership and operation of a communications satellite system capable of linking "the farthest corners of the globe." (1:1; text, pg. 12) – July 25, 1961

The Voice of America is increasing its broadcasting time and will soon move from third place to a tie for second place with Communist China in the number of broadcasting hours. The Soviet Union still leads with 1,050 hours a week. (1:2) – October 16, 1961

The Federal Communications Commission ordered a Miami television company to go off the air Nov. 20, because of its backdoor tactics in obtaining Channel 10 there. (12:1) – October 19, 1961

The Federal Communications Commission played an extraordinary role in the lengthy maneuvers that ended last week by bringing an educational television channel to the New York area. It is understood that the plan could never have succeeded without the F.C.C.’s behind-the-scenes activities, which have aroused some controversy. (1:1-2) – December 11, 1961